Total foreign tonnage at Port Metro Vancouver posted a six per cent increase with 49 million tonnes.

Total domestic tonnage increased by six per cent to 13.3 million tonnes.

Port Metro Vancouver is North America's largest export port by tonnage and trades $75 billion in goods annually with more than 160 trading economies, generating across Canada an estimated 129,500 jobs, $6.1 billion in wages, and $10.5 billion in GDP.

"What we have seen to the mid-point in 2012 is continued resiliency in the Canadian export market. Although some Asian economies show slower growth overall, through the port we saw continuing strong demand for Canadian natural resources, with all the major economic benefits that provides for the Canadian economy," said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver. "Thanks to capacity building projects now underway, together with improved efficiencies, and this ongoing demand, we expect to see continued strength throughout 2012."